1. Reflections on Organisational Communication Tigere Chagutah BSc, DMCS, MCMS Presented at CPUT 20/08/2010
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10. HOW to communicate: The hardware Channels of communication Phone Internet Fax E-mail Newsletter Memo Tele-Conference Video Interviews Meetings Grapevine Brainstorming sessions
13. Barriers to communication Cultural Mistrust Intimidation Attitudes of Workers Attitudes of the Superior Highly formal structures and procedures ICT literacy/ connectivity Distracting environment Use of wrong medium Information overload Physical distance Mixed messages Wrong targeting
The "Five Ws" (and one H): A time honoured concept in news style, research, and in police investigations Who, Where and When is the reason why we are here: To be communication managers; In an organisation; communicating all the time
What is it? Why? How?
Various scholars and practitioners swear by communication. Success of the organisation is determined by success of communication
Distinctions derived from and related to the direction of information flow, structures of reporting and communication in organisations For purposes of time will confine discussion to the first two as the distinction between the third is obvious
Downward is top to bottom communication such as CEO to VP of Operations. Upward is bottom to top communication such as Department Supervisor to Regional Manager. Lateral Communication crosses employees horizontally such as two people of same rank from different divisions.
The formal/informal dichotomy is becoming less salient as new platforms and channels exist that are neither formal nor informal in character eg Company facegroup groups, innovative use of the intranet
Downward: Generally instructs; Assign goals; Informs of policies & procedures; and Feedback on performance Upward: Generally informs; issues progress reports; Relays problems; Suggests improvements
Lateral : People of similar rank as they share their suspicions, and often unfounded allegations with peers and never with people of different rank
As discussed earlier each of these how to- flows of communication has its advantages and disadvantages